Mysterious Vodou Ritual Unmasked

Photographer captures first hand account of Vodou rituals.

Photographer Anthony Karen was recently allowed to capture a rare ritual many have never seen: Haitian Vodou. Vodouisants navigate their way deep inside a grotto once inhabited by the Taino Indians to make their requests of the Loa/Iwa, or spirits, who serve them.

Anthony Karen

Photographer captures first hand account of Vodou rituals.

Photographer Anthony Karen was recently allowed to capture a rare ritual many have never seen: Haitian Vodou. Vodouisants navigate their way deep inside a grotto once inhabited by the Taino Indians to make their requests of the Loa/Iwa, or spirits, who serve them.

Anthony Karen

Photographer captures first hand account of Vodou rituals.

Vodouisants navigate their way deep inside a grotto once inhabited by the Taino Indians to make their requests of the Loa/Iwa, spirits, who serve them.

Anthony Karen

Photographer captures first hand account of Vodou rituals.

A Vodou priest -- Hougan or Houngan -- begins to invoke the spirits, Loa or Iwa, during the feast day of St. Francis De Assisi in a remote region of Haiti.

Anthony Karen

Photographer captures first hand account of Vodou rituals.

A Vodou priest -- Hougan or Houngan -- begins to invoke the spirits, Loa or Iwa, by blowing candle smoke in the face of another Vodouisant during the feast day of St. Francis De Assisi in a remote region of Haiti.

Anthony Karen

Photographer captures first hand account of Vodou rituals.

A Vodouisant during a moment of prayer.

Anthony Karen

Photographer captures first hand account of Vodou rituals.

A Vodouisant during a moment of prayer.

Anthony Karen

Photographer captures first hand account of Vodou rituals.

Several times a day, light casts down from an opening at the highest point of the grotto ceiling. During these times, many Vodouisants can be found making their requests to the Loa/Iwa. It was that same light where the Taino Indians in that region centered many of their rituals.

Anthony Karen

Photographer captures first hand account of Vodou rituals.

A Mambo, high priestess in Haitian Vodou, is overcome by a spirit.

Anthony Karen

Photographer captures first hand account of Vodou rituals.

A Mambo, high priestess in Haitian Vodou, is overcome by a spirit.

Anthony Karen

Photographer captures first hand account of Vodou rituals.

Two Vodouisants moments after a spiritual possession and sacrifice.

Anthony Karen

Photographer captures first hand account of Vodou rituals.

A Vodou Sosyete is overcome by an Iwa as a Hougan helps guide him through the trance-like state. Vodouisants from across Haiti make the long pilgrimage to the Grotto of St. Francis de Assisi in the Artibonite mountain region of Haiti. During the fete, worshipers make sacrifices to honor the Iwa and also in gratitude for favors granted or as a payment to a promise made the year prior.

Anthony Karen

Photographer captures first hand account of Vodou rituals.

A Vodouisant in a moment of prayer, deep inside a grotto once used by the Taino Indians for religious ceremonies.

Anthony Karen

Photographer captures first hand account of Vodou rituals.

A Vodouisant moments after being released from the Loa/Iwa. For further information please his <a href="http://www.anthonykaren.com/">website</a> or like him on Facebook, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/anthonykarenthatsme?fref=ts">Anthony Karen</a>.